Kundalini yoga is a spiritual and sometimes controversial style of yoga that doesn't closely the resemble popular hatha or vinyasa styles. The focus in kundalini yoga is activating the kundalini -- also described as life-force, primal or sexual -- energy said to be waiting, inactive, at the base of the spine. According to kundalini practitioners, activating kundalini energy requires a combination of physical postures, breathing exercises and focused meditation.

What is Kundalini?

According to kundalini yoga texts and ancient Indian mysticism, kundalini energy is described as a coiled serpent that sits at the base of the spine, sleeping. Through a series of meditations, yoga poses and breathing exercises, you attempt to awaken powerful energy that is lying dormant. The energy is said to rise up the center energy channel of the body, stopping and activating each chakra before opening the third eye at the center of the eyebrows. Anecdotal testimony about activating kundalini describes an intense feeling of euphoria, mental clarity, enlightenment and a feeling of oneness with the universe.

Kriyas

Kriyas are physical exercises, similar to traditional hatha yoga poses, that encourage kundalini energy to rise up the spine. A typical kriya for raising energy requires you to sit on the floor in a comfortable position with your hands on both knees. On an inhale, roll your shoulders back and puff your chest out. As you exhale, curl your shoulders forward and round your spine. Continue this motion quickly, linking quick breaths to the physical motions.

Pranayama

Kundalini breathing exercises, also called pranayama, are instrumental in the effort to raise kundalini energy. A popular pranayama exercise for raising kundalini energy is the breath of fire. Breath of fire is a rapid, intense breath that creates a tremendous amount of energy in the abdomen. To perform breath of fire, start in a comfortable seated position with your hands placed lightly on your knees or thighs. Inhale a deep, long breath and exhale forcefully from the nostrils while drawing the belly button in toward the spine. Inhale quickly and exhale forcefully. This breath speeds up as the energy rises, like a train picking up speed. Because of the intensity of this pranayama exercise, practice it for two minutes or less.

Meditation and Visualization

Meditation and visualization help to draw the energy that you activated with kriyas and pranayama and move that energy from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. The kundalini energy is said to travel up the spine through the seven chakras. It can be helpful to visualize each chakra, its corresponding color, its qualities and sound. If you tend to be easily distracted, listening to recorded guided meditation could help.

Considerations

According to Yogi Bhajan, founder of kundalini yoga, raising kundalini energy is intense and powerful, and should be attempted with the guidance and knowledge of a qualified kundalini teacher.

References

About the Author

Nicole Carlin is a registered yoga teacher. Her writing has been published in yoga and dance teacher training manuals for POP Fizz Academy. Carlin received a Masters of Arts in gender studies from Birkbeck University in London and a Bachelors of Arts in psychology from Temple University, Philadelphia.